America by Stephen Coonts Page B

telephone rang. He picked it up.
    â€œI’m a reporter with—” the voice began. Jake put the telephone back on the cradle.
    â€œSo who did it?” Toad demanded.
    â€œSome Russian and German ex-submariners.” Jake didn’t mention the CIA.
    â€œWow!”
    â€œQuite amazing,” Ilin said. “How in the world could they have learned enough about the submarine— America? —to take it to sea? Aren’t submarines extremely complicated?”
    â€œLike a space shuttle.”
    â€œSurprising,” Ilin said and helped himself to more coffee.
    Callie served him an omelet as the group discussed what the thieves might do with a stolen sub. The telephone rang two more times. Each time Callie answered it, said a few words, and hung up. “Reporters,” she said.
    â€œI have been asked to assist in the investigation of this matter,” Jake said, addressing Ilin. “Since several of the men involved were Russian nationals, I was wondering if you would assist me? On an informal basis, of course.”
    â€œDo you know their names?”
    â€œNot yet.”
    â€œI assume,” Ilin said slowly as he buttered a piece of toast, “that you have discussed this matter with General Blevins?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œAnd other people?”
    â€œOf course.”
    â€œMay I ask who they are?”
    â€œI think I’ll reserve that.”
    Ilin ate the toast before he spoke again.
    â€œThe theft of the submarine is certainly a tragedy, but I fail to see how I can be of assistance in investigating that theft.”
    â€œMaybe you will have a glimmer as we go along.”
    â€œI tell you frankly that I know nothing of submarines. I have never even been aboard one. In fact, to the best of my memory, I have never actually seen one. They are an uncommon sight in Moscow.”
    â€œPerhaps,” Jake said, also choosing his words carefully, “the news has been so unexpected that you have failed to grasp the implications. If Russian nationals were involved, persons in some quarters might suspect that they are acting on behalf of—or at least on the orders of—the Russian government. The event might have serious implications for U.S.-Russian relations.”
    â€œI appreciate that. Yet I fail to see how I can assist you. I know absolutely nothing about submarines or ships or any of that.”
    â€œAre you refusing?”
    â€œNo. Merely trying to force your expectations down to rational levels and make you air them. Just now I fail to see how I can be of any assistance whatsoever.”
    â€œAh, we’ll have to await the event to see if you can aid me. But perhaps you can aid your government. If these … pirates … use the submarine against Russian shipping or naval vessels, the Russian government might be very interested in your observations.”
    â€œPerhaps. And it might not. In any event, I tell you flatly that regardless of what I say, the people in Moscow will draw their own conclusions.”
    â€œWould you care to call the embassy? Discuss this with someone there?”
    Both men knew the Graftons’ telephone was nonsecure, and both knew that the American government would record the conversation since it was made to the Russian embassy.
    â€œPerhaps later,” Ilin said, refusing to close the door or pass through it. “How do you propose to begin your investigation?”
    â€œThe navy will have a plane pick us up at noon at Dover Air Force Base. Callie can drop us there on her way back to Washington. The plane will fly us to Connecticut. The FBI will have an agent there to brief us. They might have learned something about the thieves. No doubt we can also learn something about the stolen submarine.”
    Janos Ilin helped himself to more coffee. “Admiral, I am sure my government will not object to my tagging along. You understand, I am under no obligation to withhold anything from my